Earth mover



E. W. AUSTIN EARTH MOVER Filed Jan. 23, 1939 2- Sheets-Sheet l Patented Sepisl?, 1940 UNITED srpfrlasv EARTH Movaa Ellsworth W. Austin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Choate Manufacturing Co., Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application January 2a, 1939, serial No. 252,366

110mm; (o1. 37.-1441) An object of my present invention is to provide an earth mover in which an earthA engaging element is adapted for mounting on a track laying tractor and a cable and sheave system ofl simple 5 and inexpensive construction is provided to elevate the earth engaging element relative to the ground surface to the desired height.

Still a further object is to provide a cable and sheave system including an overhead beam for supporting the system in such manner that'the earth engaging element can be elevated toward the forward end of the overhead beam and the operating cable of the sy'stem extends downwardly from the rear end of the beam to a cable u drum mounted on the tractor.

,l AnotherV object is to provide a support for the 1 overhead beam in the form of an upwardly arched crosshead and supports for its lower ends which are mounted on the track frames of the fractor,

the connections between the supports and the crosshead beingv such that one ltrack frame may beam being provided to support a cable and sheave system, the cable of which extends downwardly to a cable drum on the rear end ofthe tractor 5 with a thrust element .connected between the.

beam and the tractor adjacent the drum.

Another object is to provide a: structure in which the various units thereof are compact and may be readily mounted in position on the tractor 40 by two men during installation, the connections between the parts being such that they may be mounted'on the track frames and supported thereby with full flexibility for operation of the tracks without interference bythe attachments.

Another object is to provide van arched cross,

head for supporting the overhead beam which-insures a maximum of visibility to the operator of the tractor when my cable and sheave system is applied thereto for adjusting the height of the earth engaging element.`

, As another object of my invention I provide a swivel sheave of novel construction mounted upon the earth engaging element and included in the cable and sheave system in such manner that the swivel sheave can pivoton a substantially fore and aft axis without dropping over sidewise when the cable is slack.

As a further object I provide a novel connection between the side arms of my earth mover and pivot pinbrackets therefor which permit ready l .5 removal of the side arms and the earth moving element they carry without spreading the arms or removing the pivot pins, such connections involving biiurcated ends of the arms receiving the pivot pins and retainer keys retaining the side 10 arms on the pivot pins. y

Still a further object is toprovide'a novel ty `of mounting bracket' for the. pivot pins including pivot pin braces to reenforce the pivot pins against undesired bending under the strains of operation. 15

-Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of my invention will be particularly obvious from the accompanyingldrawings and partially pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds. In describing the invention in detail; 20 reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which like. reference characters desl ignate corresponding`parts throughout the several views, and in which: .v

Figure 1 is a plan view of my earth mover to- 25 gether` with the cable drum mechanism for operating it Figure 1a is an enlarged sectional view on the line laf-1a of Figure 1 showing details of construction of the pivot pin and sidearm connection 30 of my earth mover;

Y Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof show- 'ing the apparatus mounted on a track laying tractor; l

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the '35 line 3-3 ci' Figure 1 showing a dead end for the cable;

Figure 4; is a perspectiveview ofA my apparatus mounted on the tractor;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 illustrating the overhead beam and the track frames of the tractor in vertical cross section; i

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 2 showing a ball and socket connection between a crosshead and its support;

Figure 7 is a rear elevation oi the overhead beamQcable drum apparatus and a thrust element connection between them; and

^ Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 8-8 or Figure 2 showing a swivel sheave.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference character T'to indicate generally a tractor of the track` laying type. The tracks thereof are indicated at T. The tracks T' support 55 inner and outer track frames I and I2 which are shown in solid but unshade'd lines on the drawings, whereas 'the tractor and tracks arev shown in dash lines.

My earth mover includes an earth engaging element I3 such as a bulldozer or roadbuilder blade supported by a cross frame I4. The cross frame I4 serves as a rigid connection between arms I5 which are connected by linklike extensions I 6 to the blade I3. The means of connection between the links I6 and the arms and blade include pins I1 and I8, such as more fully disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 152,898, led July 10, 1937.

The arms I5 are mounted on pivot pins I9 carried by the brackets B mounted on the outer track frames I2. 'The brackets B include rein- 'forced portions 20 carrying the pins I9. The pins I9 are electively reinforced against bending under the strains of operation by brace plates 10 welded to the pins and extending diagonally back toward the brackets B and `welded thereto. A reenforcing web 1I is also Welded to the reenforcings 20, the bracket B and the plates 10 to prevent buckling of the plates when strains are imposed thereon.

The arms I5, as shown particularly in Figure 1a, are provided with U-shaped bushings 12 welded therein and adapted to receive the pivot pins I9. After the side arms are in position on the y The track plates 2l in conjunction with other track plates 23 constitute inverted U-shaped suD- ports for a crosshead 24. The track.plates 23 are connected to the inner track frames I9 with spacers 25 interposed between them. Bolts 26 and 21 serve to connect the brackets B with the outer track frames I2 and bolts Y28 serve Vto connect the inner track plates 23'v with the inner track frames I0.

The inverted U-shaped supports 2I-23 are reenforcedV by plates 29 and a tie rod 30 `while the plates 2I are reenforced relative to the portions 22 of the brackets B by plates 30a. The plates 30 and 30a are preferably welded in position. Extending upwardly from the track plates 2| and 23 are vconnecting plates-3| secured as by bolts 32 to the track plates. Av ball member 33 is welded to the upper edge of each plate 3I and is received in Aa socket member 34. The socket members are retained seated on the ball heads 33 by bolts 35 in enlarged holes 35a` as shown in Figure 6. It will be vnoted in this gure that the socket 34 is elongated laterally of the tractor so that there is some slight transl`-erse play of the ball therein. The purpose of this will hereafter appear.

The cross head 24`is upwardly arched as shown in Figures 4 and 5 to clear' the portion of the tractor T intermediate the tracks T.. lThe lower ends of the arms of the crosshead arewelded to the socket members 34.'

A pivot pin '35 extends upwardly through the crosshead 24 and is welded thereto withv reenforcing plates 31 as shown in Figure 5, being present invention.

provided to strengthen the central portion of the crosshead. These plates as well as a few other relatively immaterial details 'have been vomitted from Figure 4 to avoid confusion of the lines or the drawing. The pivot pin 36, .it will be noted by reference to `Figure 1, is located on substantially the central line of the tractorwhich is indicated at 38.

Arranged along one side of the pivot pin 36 is an overhead beam 39. A pivot sleeve 40 is welded thereto and a reinforcing plate 4I is provided for the sleeve. The beam 39 has a lli-shaped fitting 42 pivoted thereto adjacent the rear end and pivotaliy connected by a. pin 43 with a thrust frame 44. The thrust frame 44 is pivoted to a pair of brackets 45 mounted on -a drum operating casing 46. Thus, the beam 39 is supported by the crosshead 24 and by the thrust frame 44 in conjunction with each other.

The cross arm. I4 of the earthmover has securedthereto an inverted U-shaped rod 41. A swivel sheave S is connected therewith. The sheave S as shown in Figure 8 comprises a plurality of side plates 48 between which are mounted sheaves 49. vThe sheaves 49 are provided with ballbearings mounted on a pin 59 retained in position by cotter pins 6I. A pair of U-shaped` rods 52 are welded as at 52a between the' side plates A49 and interlinked with the inverted U- shaped rod 41. The`rod 41 has a reenforcing 'cross piece 53 asshown in Figure 5. The side plates 49 it will be noted lterminateadjacent the inverted U-shaped rod 441 so as to prevent the swivel sheave system from dropping. sidewise when the cable 54 that extends around the sheaves 49 is slack.

The overhead beam 39 is preferably formed of shaped pieces of sheet steel or the like welded I together into a rectangular tubular cross section as shown in Figure 5. At its forward end there is provided a pair of sheaves 49a installed in substantially the same manner of assembly as shown in Figure 8. At its rear endthe beam is provided with a single sheave 49h similarly installed.

. 'I'he cable 54 has a dead-end surrounding a wedge 55 as shown in Figure 3 and the cable end and wedge are inserted in a loop-shaped strap l56.

secured to the side of the overhead beam 39. 'Ihis construction eiectively retains the dead end of the cable in xed position relative to the beam.

The cable 54 has one stretch thereof extending through the tubular overhead beam 39 and depending from the pulley 49h where it is connected with a winding drum 51. (See Figure 2.) 'I'he winding drum 51 is mounted'in a drum housing 58 which in turn .is mounted on the drum mechanism housing 43, this apparatus being part :sol

of ythe tractor as now supplied by some tractor manufacturers. The operation ot the drum -51 is Vcontrolled by a l'ever 59 '\which when thrown in one direction causes the drum to rotate and when thrown'in the 'other direction releases a. spring. applied brake to permit the'drum to rotate in a, .g well-known manner which forms no part of my I have provided and sheave mechanism on a track laying tractor invsuch manner that it does not interfere with means for mounting a cable the operation of the earth moving element. In

Figure^2 the normal position of the operators eye is indicated at 39. The lines 3| and 32 indicate his range of vision underneath V.the crosshea'cf24n and downto the-earthv engaging element. I3.

lThe upward arch of the crosahez'td thereby gives him the desired for operating the earth amaca mover and at the same 'time elevates the front end of the cable and sheave mechanism to a position where it makes possible the elevation of the earth engaging element I3 to the maximum del gree. The overhead beam provides for transmission of lifting power lfrom the drum |51 to the earth engaging element in a very simple manner.

Due to the ball and socket connections between the inverted U-shaped supports 2I-23 and the crosshead 24, either track `T' may be elevated as a result of passing over an obstruction without interfering with operation of the cable and sheave system. The ball and socket joints will permit the crosshead to tip laterally and this will result in the pivot pin 36 also tipping laterally and the overhead beam tipping with it. The tipping is not excessive and accordingly does not throw the sheaves 49a and'49b so far out of alignment with the cable 54 that they will operate improperly.

'The elevation of one ball head 33 relative tothe other causes a slight increase in the distance between them which is readily taken care of by the lateral play in the socket members 34. 1f there is any excessive relative movement of the tracks T' so that all this play is taken up, then the plates 2i, 23 and 3| may bend slightly as they are made of sheet steel which of course has sufilcient resil- V. iency to permit some bending without permanent distortion. I

The swivel mounting of the overhead beam on the crosshead permits the overhead beam to ad.- just itself to various inclinations of the cables 54y with a minimum of binding. 'I'he hinge connections at the upper and lowerends of the thrust frame 44 permit tipping of the crosshead 24-without binding at the rearoi' the overhead beam. The thrust frame serves to support the rear end of the beam and also to keep the crosshead 24 in a substantially vertical position.

The inverted `Ushaped supports 2|-23 and brackets B may be mounted each as a unit on its respective track frames. The next unit to be installed is the crosshead 24 after which the beam 3B can be placedin position and supported in its proper position by mounting the thrust frame 44.v In this manner a plurality of easily handled units go to make up the entire assembly and facilitate the installation thereof with respectv tol the tractor.

The swivel sheave S makes a very inexpensively l manufactured structure and provides a connection with the earth engaging element which has the desired pivotal movement of the sheave relative to the earth engaging element without any danger of the sheave dropping sidewise when the cable is slack, This insures proper operation of the cable and sheave system whenever the slack in the cable is taken up.

The pivot pins I9 reenforced by the plate 10 provide a desiredrigidity against bending during operation of the earth mover, which rigidity is lacking when the pins are not so braced. The -U- A pivotal surface for thrust of the pins Il against the side arms during earth .moving operations, whereas' the keys 12 eifectively operate asa means to pun the blade baekwardiy when the tractor is backed up, at which time there is relatively less strain imposed on the pins i9.

Having described one specic embodiment of 4my invention together with the operation thereof, 5

I desire it to be understood that this form is selected merely for the purpose of facilitating disclosure of the invention -rather than yfor the purpose of Hunting the number of forms which it may assume. It is to be further understood that varil0 ous modiications, adaptations and alterations may be applied to the speciiic form disclosed to meet the requirements of practice without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention except as set forth in the 15 claims appended hereto.

I claim as my invention:

l. The combination with a track laying tractor having inner and outer track frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element 20 and means for mounting said earth engaging. element on said tractor at-f the front end thereof and for adjusting saidearth engaging element relative to the ground level, said mounting means comprising brackets secured to said outer vtrack 25 frames and carrying pivot pins, said earth engaging element includingarms pivotally mounted thereon, a pair of inverted U-shaped supports, each having its arms mounted on an inner vone -and an outer one of said track frames, a yoke 3 overhead beam supported by said crosshead and 35 swivelly mounted relative thereto on a substantially vertical axis, a cable drum mounted on the rear of said tractor and a cable and sheave system extending upwardly therefrom, forwardly along said overhead'beaml and downwardly from 40 the front end thereof to said earth engaging element to adjust the elevation thereof by the winding of said cable on said drum.

2. The combination with a track laying tractor Ahaving inner and outer track frames; of an earth 45 `the-winding of said cable on said drum.

mover comprising an earth engaging element,

vmeans for mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor and means for adjusting a said earth engaging element relative to the groundv level, said last means comprising a pair of inverted U-shaped supports, each having its arms mounted on an inner one and outer one of said track frames, a yoke shaped crosshead supported on said inverted U-shaped supports, universal joint connections between the arms of said crosshead and the upper ends of said inverted U-shaped supports, a hollow overhead beam supported by said crosshead and swivelly mounted relative thereto on a substantially vertical axis, a cable drum mounted onsaid tractor and a cable and sheave system extending upwardly therefrom, forwardly through said overhead beam and downwardly from the frontend thereof to said earth engaging. element to, adjust the elevation thereof by v 3. The combination with a track laying tractor v having inner and outer track frames of lan earth mover comprising an earth engaging element,

- means for mounting said earth engaging ele- 7 0 ment on said tractor at the front end thereof and means for adjusting said earth engaging means comprising a pair o'f inverted U-shapedsupports, each having its armsmounted on an '(5 inner one and an outer one of said track frames. a crosshead having its ends pivotally supported by said supports, an overhead beam pivotally supported by said crosshead, a cable drumv mounted on the rear of said tractor and a cable and sheave system extending upwardly there'- from, forwardly along said overhead beam and downwardly from the front end thereof and connected with said earth engaging element.

4. 'I'he combination with a track laying tractor lhaving inner and outer track frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element Vsupported by said supports, universal joint connections between the ends of said crosshead and said supports, an overhead beam supported by said crosshead, a cable drum mounted on said tractor and a cable and sheave system extending upwardly therefrom, forwardly along said overhead beam and downwardly from the front f end'thereof to said earth engaging element.

5. vThe combination with a track laying tractor having track frames; of an learth mover comprising an earth engaging element, means for 'mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor for variable elevation, apair of supports mounted on said track frames said supports being inverted U shape, straddling the upper stretches of the tracks of said tractor-and having their arms secured to the track frames, a crosshead supported by the cross members of said supports, an overhead beam supported by I said crosshead, a cable drum mounted on said tractor and a cable and sheave system extending upwardly therefrom, forwardly along said overhead beam and downwardly therefrom to said earth engaging -element to adjust the elevation thereof by the winding of said cable on said drum.

6. The combination with a track laying tractor having track frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element and means for mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor at the front end thereof and for adjusting said earth' engaging element relative to the ground level, said mounting means comprising an inverted U-shaped support straddling each track of said tractor and mounted` on said track frames, a crosshead spanning the upperends thereof and having ball and socket connections therewith, said crosshead being upwardly bowed at the center thereof to clear the portion of the tractor intermediate said track frames, an overhead beam mounted on said crosshead and extending substantially longitudinally o f said tractor, sheaves carried by said beam adjacent the ends thereof, a cable drum ',mounted at the rear of said tractor, a sheave swivelly mounted on `said `earth engaging elementa cable extending over all of said sheaves l and wound on said drum and a thrust element connected between the rear of said tractor and the rea: end of said overhead beam.

7. The combination with a track laying tractor having inner and outer track frames; of an earth ,mover comprisingv an earth engaging element and means for mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor and for adjusting said earth engaging element relative to the ground level, said mounting means comprising inverted U-shaped supports mounted by its arms on said inner and outer track frames, tie rods through said arms adjacent the crosspieces of said supports, a crosshead spanningv the distance between said crosspieces, an overhead beam mounted on said crosshead and extending substantially longitudinally of said tractor, sheaves carried by said beam adjacent the ends thereof, a cable drum mounted on said tractor, a sheave swivelly mountedon said earth engaging element, a cable y extending over all of said sheaves and wound on; said drum and a thrust element connection between said tractor and one end of said overhead beam. v

8. The combination with a track laying tractor having track frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element and means for mounting saidfearth engaging element on said tractor and for adjusting said earth engaging element relative to the ground level, said mounting means comprising supports rigidly mounted on said track frames, a crosshead spanning the upper end s thereof and having universal joint connections at its ends therewith, and an overhead beam pivotally mounted on said crosshead, sheaves carried by said beam adjacent the ends thereof, a cable drum mounted on said tractor, a sheave swivelly mounted on said earth engaging element, a cable extending over all of said sheaves and wound on said drum and a thrust element connected between said tractor and pivotally with one end of said overhead beam.

9. The combination with a track laying tractor having inner and outer track frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element and means for mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor and for adjusting its elevation relative to the ground level, said mounting means comprising inverted U-shaped supports mounted on said track frames, an upwardly bowed crosshead spanning the upper ends thereof and having ball and socket connections therewith, an overhead beam mounted on said crosshead, sheaves carried thereby, `a cable drum mounted on said tractor, a sheave swivelly mounted on said earth engaging element and a cable extending over all of said sheaves and wound on said drum.

10. The combination with va track laying tractor haying frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element, means for mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor and means for adjusting said earth engaging element relative to the ground level, said mounting meansv sheaves and wound on said drum and a thrust element connected at one end to said tractor and pivotally at its other end to said overhead beam.

11. The combination with a track laying tractor having frames; of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging element, means for mounting said earth engaging element on said tractor and means for adjusting'said earth engaging elet ment relativ'e to the ground level, said mounting means comprising supports mounted on said track frames, an r overhead beam pivotally supported thereby 'and having connections therewith adapted to permit independent movement of'said track frames in accordance with ground surface variationsJ sheaves carried bysaid beam adjacent the end thereof, a'cable'drum mounted on said tractor, a sheaveon said earth engaging element, a

cable extending over all of, said sheaves and,

wound on V said drum and a rigid connecting link between saidtractorvand said beam-itoprevent. tipping oflthe beam under thegload imposed on which itisfconi'iecte'd..v

ationjwithtrack frames of a track layingtractor: ?Qan 'earth mover-'comprisingfan ear'tflgen'gaging 'element and mean'sto adjust the height lthereof relative to the ground surface including 'upwardly extending supports mounted on *saidv Ytrack frames, an upwardly arched crosshead having its ends connected by ball and socket connections with: the upper ends of said supports;v a fore and aft overhead beam supported swivelly onSaidvcrosshead adjacent the center thereof; a 'cable 'andjsheave system carried by said overhead-beamv and operatively connected with said"earthengagi ng element at one end of the'tractor, awnding drum at the other end of thetractor and operatively connected to the cable of said cable andjsheave system and a lthrust element pivotally l-Inounted'on the tractor adia-` cent said Adrum and; p ivdtally connected with said y beam. .Y

' 13. The combinationf-with track frames of a track laying tracton? of an earth mover comprising an earth engaging'elementzand'means to adjust the lieightthereofrelative to the ground surface including upwardly extending U-shaped supports mounted on said track frames with their crossmembers transversely spanning the upper stretchesfjof 'the tracks of said tractor, a crosshead, 'universal #joint connections between the ends of crosshead and said cross members of said supportaanfoverhead beam supported on said a' cablend ,sheave system carnected with earth engaging. element, a winding drum on tractor and operatively connected to the cable of said cable and sheave system and to preventi tipping of said beam onatransverseaxis.

14.*'rne eompinanonzzjf ftrack'frames tra* track lying tractor; of 'an mover comprising an earth engaging elementhavig arms pivotedto adjust the height 'of said-earth element relative to the ground surface including upwardly extending supports mplmted on said track trames, an arched crosshead its ends connected by ball andsocketconnections with'theupper :ends of. said beam sup- -beamandcrosshead center thereof, a cable and sheave system carried by said overhead beam and operatively connected with said earth engaging element, a winding drum on the tractor and operatively connected to the cable of said cable and sheave systemy and an element connected with the tractor and with said beam to prevent lateral and vertical movement of one end of said beam relative to said tractor.

15; The combination with track frames of a track laying tractor; of an earth mover compn'sing an earth engaging element and means to adjust the height thereof relative to the ground surface including upwardly extending supports mounted on said track frames, an upwardly arched crosshead having its ends connected by ball and socket connections with the upper ends of said supports, a beam swivelly mounted on said crosshead, said swivel connection being on substantially the center plane of the tractor and said beam being positioned along one side thereof andv thereby having one end oiset relative to the tractor, a drum substantially alignedv therewith,

a cable from said drum along said beam and depending fromv-the other end of said beam-to a point of operative connection with said earth engaging element, said other end of said beam being substantially over the center of said earth engaging element.

CII

16. The combination with track frames of a nections with the upper ends of said supports,-

said vsockets being elongated transversely of the .tractor to permit lateral movementv of the balls therein upon one track frame being elevated rela- -tive to the other one, anda cable and sheave system supported by said cross head.

17. The combination with track framesv of a track laying tractor; of an earth mover vcomprising an earth engaging element and means to adjust the height-thereof relative to the ground surface including upwardly extending supports mounted'on said track frames, a crosshead havin g its ends connected by ball and. socket connections with the upper ends of said supports, said sockets being elongated transversely of the therein upon one track frame being elevated rela'- tive to the other one, a fore and aft overhead beam supported swivelly on. said crosshead, -a cable and sheave system carried by said overhead beam and operatively connected with said earth,v engaging element, a winding drum on the tractor and operatively connected to the cable of 1 s aid cable and sheave system and a thrust frame operative to prevent fore and aft tippingof said nniswon'rn w. AUSTIN.

5o. tractor to permit lateral movement of the balls 

